Five instances when racism marred the game of tennis
2) Michael Llodra
In 2012, French player Michael Llodra decided to direct his on court frustrations at a Korean American woman in the stands at Indian Wells, calling her a “Chinese whore” – a taunt that would have gone unnoticed if a French speaking Canadian presenter hadn’t been within earshot. In an attempt to apologize Llodra help up his attraction for Chinese women as evidence of his innocence. “I love Chinese,” he said. “I can totally make love with a Chinese Girl.”
No wonder players like Grand Slam winning Li Na from China and Kei Nishikori from Japan feel the constant cloud of racism and judgement.
Michael Llodra has been known for his open racist attacks. He is the epitome of players losing all sense of decency toward the sports and what it stands for. He was reportedly caught making a racism comment about the spectators at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, after which he was fined $2,500 for turning on two fans and calling them “f—— Chinese”. The Candian journalist Tom Tebbutt, who heard it all, rightly called the Frenchman’s behavior “deplorable” – was a rare example of racial prejudice in the locker-room.
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